Space Goblin ACs incorrect in First contact?

[Erithtotl]

Just downloaded this and was looking through it.

I noticed the Space Goblin has a +3 DEX bonus but ACs are 11 and 12.

Am I missing something or is this an obvious error?

[Damanta]

You're missing something. (Several posts in the rules forum and at least 1 in the adventurepath forum, maybe also some in the general discussion that I missed).

It's not an obvious error.

I'm guessing the search function of the forum is still a bit wonky, but in short: monsters do not follow the same rules as player characters.
They are more based on setting certain base lines and then using grafts to adapt them to what they need to be, to make it a lot easier on GMs. Full rules will be released with the Alien Archives.

[Erithtotl]

OK. Thanks for the response. I searched thoroughly for 'space goblin ac' and 'space goblin armor class' both here and on google and found nothing, thus I posted. Nothing in the first contact book mentions that they don't follow normal rules for AC.

[Damanta]

Yeah, finding the right search terms is the wonky bit.

The thread in the adventurepath forum is called: Monster stats.., in the rules forum: monster stats don't add up, so I'm not surprised that you couldn't find it.

It's also not really mentioned in any of the books yet, most of it has been information that's been gathered in threads here and there.

They've based the Starfinder system on the Pathfinder Unchained monster build rules, where you pick a CR for a monster which gives it base stats, and then use grafts to modify it.

[Shadowkire]

In Starfinder monsters/npcs have different base stats and stat progression from player characters. The designers want monsters to be more accurate and have lower defenses while players have higher defenses and lower accuracy.

When players fight monsters this doesn't really change the math, with high defense matched against high accuracy and low defense matched by low accuracy.

However, when mind control is used it favors the player:
A dominated player's low accuracy is matched against his fellow player's high defense.
A dominated monster's high accuracy is matched against his fellow monster's low defense.